Thursday, December 21, 2006

Where to Find Jesus in Vegas

Nothing against Brigham Young. The Cougars came across as a hard-knocking team the few times we've had an opportunity to watch them play. We get another chance to see BYU on Thursday night when it plays Oregon in the Las Vegas Bowl, one of our postseason favorites for obvious reasons. Although much of the hubbub has centered on Oregon's expected unveiling of its new helmets, the Wiz has taken an interest in the general going-ons in Vegas this week. Yes, it has been a week of contrasts. On one side you have the honey beer drinking and gambling Oregon fans. On the other end of the spectrum resides the BYU contingent, which shuns alcohol and gambling. As one poster on Deadspin remarked, having BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl is like having a diabetics convention at a chocolate factory. Even former coach LaVell Edwards once said BYU fans bring the Ten Commandments and a $50 bill to bowl games and break neither. Jokes aside, BYU fans have seemed out of place this week in Vegas, despite attempts to say otherwise. Jay Drew of the Salt Lake Tribune wrote about fans staying at the Golden Nugget Casino, with slot machines, craps tables, roulette wheels and a sign that screamed "Topless Girls of Glitter Gulch." Yes, Jesus resides in Vegas, but you won't find him in a church. The locals know him as Chris "Jesus" Ferguson and he can be found at a poker table.

Since BYU has a long-term relationship with Marriott (the hotel chain has donated millions to the business school which is named after the firm), the teams stay at a Marriott property when they are in town for conference play against UNLV. Whether it's the Grand Chateau, the Marriott Suites or the JW Marriott Resort & Spa, any and all gaming devices (slots, tables, etc.) are removed from the lobby area so the players are not exposed to any gambling activity.

take it from someone who lived in a mormon-dominated are for 10 years - they are no different beneath the surface than anyone else. lots of the girls were fun-time dates and one-nighters. the alcohol is there and so are the drugs. just check the police blotters. and these are people who get married in the temple, and attend mormon schools. please spare me the phony facade of sainthood.